Personal Accounts of Peace & Power
This week we enjoyed celebrating our youngest child’s birthday—my baby is four!
Throughout the week of each of my children’s birthdays (also known as my birth-i-versaries around here) I spend significant time recalling special details of their births. I recount each of my births in detail in this podcast interview, so rather than go into any lengthy birth stories here, I will simply highlight where I felt Peace and Power in each of my birth stories:
-As a first-time mother, my main goal was to become so completely acquainted with childbirth that I could not fear it. I learned from hundreds of women’s stories who had gone before me through frequent “positive birth stories” quests via online search engines. As fear transformed into curiosity and anticipation, my confidence grew and I couldn’t wait for it to be my turn.
In my first birth, Peace looked like:
laboring at home with my husband and kitties,
walking rhythmic circles in my kitchen & living room,
deep breaths,
consciously relaxing, not tensing, my muscles,
horse-lip breathing,
and embracing the “both/and” dance: leading with conscious motions while also encouraging myself to get out of labor’s way, to let Her lead.
Power looked like:
My husband providing strong counter pressure at my request,
a full release of inhibition over my sounds and movements (“they are here to attend me, after all, not the other way around”),
trusting my body,
and pushing so dang hard that I popped blood vessels across my chest (I learned more later about why obeying “PUSH!” is not ideal, but, hey, at the time I felt like I could do anything with how powerful I moved my baby down and out!
Peace and Power culminated in my “I DID IT!” when the provider laid my beautiful girl across my abdomen, and into my waiting arms.
-As a second-time mother I was, perhaps, more naive than I was as a first-time mother. “I’ve done this before…there’s not much to prepare for…wait for contractions to be noticeable, time them, head to the hospital.” Well, when I woke up with “gas pains” every 2 minutes that were more annoying than anything else, I had a hunch that something might be happening. The next 3 hours were odd, with a STRONG contraction presenting from time to time, and then nothing for bouts of 20-30 minutes. I strongly encourage you to listen to me telling this story on the podcast listed above, but spoiler alert: I eventually had 3 hard contractions in a row, my waters opened, and my daughter was born in to my husband’s hands 8 minutes later. WILD.
In my second birth: Peace looked like:
literally not knowing what was happening. Oblivion.
My husband reading scripture over me,
Chatting with my mother-in-law, eldest daughter, and husband casually through the morning, and lying in bed until it was “go time.”
Power looked like:
a revelation I couldn’t have prepared for: sometimes when birth is just left alone, trust and belief in the process are high, it just happens.
-As a third-time mother Peace and Power guided me early: in my heart of hearts I knew I needed to welcome this baby at home—the process of getting to the hospital sounded like the antithesis of Peace, and truthfully I didn’t want to be pressured to share my innate Power with anyone. Fast forward to labor day, where waters opening signaled the beginning of my labor and delivery journey. My husband and I were joined by two incredible midwives, a close friend (who is also an amazing doula), and we requested that we labor in our own space, in our own time, and that we would let them know when we needed them.
In my third birth, Peace looked like:
chatting and giggling with my husband and friend. A contraction would start, all chatter would cease as I moaned and marched, then breathed my way back into conversation.
It looked like respected space and boundaries,
a husband on the contraction timer,
and a warm shower.
It looked like gentle encouragement and a cool wash cloth after I called my midwife close, saying, “I know that it is time to push, and I don’t want to do this part!”
Power looked like:
knowing that while I was the one who needed to move this baby down and out, I wasn’t alone. I had an intimate team holding me and encouraging me.
Power looked like fetal ejection reflex expediently delivering my slippery new babe into my husband’s waiting hands—a swift and impressive catch the midwife and I agreed.
Peace and Power culminated in climbing into my own bed, taking in the features of my newest little love, and relishing that that I did it; that we did it!
Thank you for recounting some of the pivotal details of my own journey through the labor and deliveries of my beautiful girls. Even amongst surprises and departures from laid plans, Peace and Power can be found through education and support. I would be honored to support you through one-on-one Consultations of Connection prenatally or postpartum. Reach out via Free Consult and ask questions or secure support for your journey today.
The Peace and Power within my own journeys has provided a foundation for partnering with families for their own Peaceful and Powerful journeys to and through motherhood. Friend, childbirth is always a labyrinth of unknowns, each journey unique. However your journey has unfolded, or has yet to unfold, may Peace and Power shine as the most prominent themes for you and your family.
Here for you,
